Tag: AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026

Tough win for Iran futsal.

Jakarta: Iran survived a stern test to defeat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ Group D tie on Friday.

The defending champions had to withstand heavy pressure from Saudi Arabia throughout the match before two second half goals and Afghanistan’s 7-0 win against Malaysia in the later game, saw them advancing to the quarter-finals.

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Saudi Arabia took the game to Iran from the opening whistle with Bagher Mohammadi having to make multiple stops to deny efforts from Eihab Mohamed and Saleh Alqarni.

Despite being put under intense pressure, Iran forced a chance in the seventh minute when Saied Ahmad Abbasi was sent through on goal in a quick breakaway but saw his low shot kept out by Humood Aldahhan’s outstretched leg.

Rotating their players with regular frequency, Saudi Arabia were able to keep their intensity high throughout the first half, forcing Mohammadi to make another good save in the 10th minute after Moath Alasiri had broken through.

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As the first half edged towards its end, Iran started to find gaps with Aldahhan having to be at his best to make a double save, first from Behrooz Azimi then getting back on his feet to block out Salar Aghapour’s follow-up header.

Iran did find the net when Azimi fired home from Aghapour’s corner delivery but the goal was ruled out after Video Support review with the half-time buzzer having sounded before the ball went in.

Group D: Saudi Arabia v IR Iran

After the break, Mohammadi showed why he’s one of the best in the game, coming out of his goalmouth to block successive efforts from Abdullah Alaqeeli and Alqarni after Nawaf Aroan started the play with a run out of defence.

Saudi Arabia, however, spurned a great opportunity in the 25th minute after an interchange of passes between Alaqeeli and Alasiri took the Iranian keeper out of position but the former scuffed his shot wide with the goalmouth gaping.

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Against the run of play, Iran broke the deadlock in the 29th minute after Ahmad Abbasi’s strike had been turned away for a corner kick with Moslem Oladghobad’s delivery nodded in by Amirhossein Gholami.

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Saudi Arabia went for broke in their search for the equaliser but their efforts were in vain with Mohammadi securing the win for Iran with a stunning volley in the 35th minute from almost the full length of the court.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan jumped to the top of the table above Iran after a convincing 7-0 win against Malaysia. Iran’s final group match against Afghanistan will decide the leader of the group. Both teams have already qualified for the next stage regardless of the Sunday match.

#TeamMPGOALSGDPTS
1Afghanistan Afghanistan 210:0+106
2IranI Iran26:1+56
3Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia 20:5-50
4Malaysia Malaysia 21:11-100

Aghapour vows to repay coach’s faith in him

Jakarta: Salar Aghapour is grateful for the trust placed in him by head coach Vahid Shamsaee after the 26-year-old played a starring role in Iran’s 4-1 win over Malaysia in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ Group D opener on Wednesday.
The Iran squad is a mix of senior and junior players, with Shamsaae having admitted prior to the tournament that he’s looking to refresh the squad with Aghapour one of those in the latter camp.

Still only 26, Aghapour is living his dream of playing for the national team and more importantly, getting to work with one of game’s most notable names.

“We are a family, we are all working together and playing for each other,” said Aghapour. “That comes from the coaching staff, Vahid Shamsaee is one of the best as the head coach.
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“When he gives me a chance to play, I’m trying to do my best, playing with others and others with me. When you see me play more, it’s not about me but about the trust that my coaches and teammates have in me.

“Shamsaee is one of the real legends of the game – not only in Iran but also the world – and I will do my best to learn everything I can from him.”
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Iran will next take on Saudi Arabia on Friday with Aghapour stressing the defending champions can only get better once they have adapted to the surface and conditions at Jakarta International Velodrome.

“We could have shown better quality but this is our first game in a new stadium and I believe that game by game, we will get better as we get used to the floor. We will be able to show way better quality.”

AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026: Group D review

Jakarta: Just three days remain for the kick-off of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ with the 16 contenders laying their final plans for the continental showpiece.

Concluding our look at the groups, the-AFC.com puts Group D under the microscope.

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Iran


Previous appearances: 17
Best finish: Champions (13 times)
2024 record: Champions
How they qualified: Group G winners
Fun fact: Iran has reached the title decider in 15 of their previous 17 appearances, only missing out in 2006 and 2012.

#ACFutsal2024 | Final : Thailand 1 - 4 Islamic Republic Of Iran

It will require a gargantuan effort to stop Iran from advancing from Group D, with the defending champions having shown their immense quality in qualifying.

Iran were the highest scorers in the Qualifiers, notching 26 goals without conceding once, sweeping aside Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh.

They were unstoppable at Thailand 2024, winning all but one of their six matches by at least two goals and will be eyeing more of the same with head coach Vahid Shamsaee having a plethora of talent at his disposal.

Afghanistan


Previous appearance: 1
Best finish: Quarter-final (2024)
How they qualified: Group H winners
Fun fact: Having impressed on their debut, Afghanistan will expect to advance to the knockout stage once again at Indonesia 2026. 

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Afghanistan booked their Finals ticket with a relatively straight-forward qualifying campaign, finishing as Group H winners.

Starting with a 10-1 win against Maldives, Afghanistan sealed a second appearance with a superb 8-0 victory against hosts Myanmar.

Despite having been drawn with Iran, Afghanistan will have no fear after having given the defending champions a tough fight when they met in the group stage of the 2024 edition.

Saudi Arabia


Previous appearances: 3
Best finish: Group stage
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Saudi Arabia’s appearance at Indonesia 2026 will be their third consecutive Finals.

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Saudi Arabia’s initial target will be to reach the knockout stage.

Head coach Andreu Alvarez oversaw the Qualifiers where Saudi Arabia defeated Chinese Taipei and Pakistan before being edged by Iraq in their final match.

Fahad Rudyani was the star of their campaign, finding the net four times as Saudi Arabia displayed their attacking prowess with 19 goals.

Malaysia


Previous appearances: 12
Best finish: Group stage
2024 record: Did not qualify
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Malaysia return to the continental showpiece after missing the last two editions.

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Malaysia have it all to do as they return to the competition for the first time since 2018 with Iran already a familiar sight, having lost 4-0 to the Central Asian side in the Qualifiers.

Addie Azwan Zainal has taken over as head coach duties Rakphol Sainetngam – who has returned to take charge of his native Thailand – and will have to implement his ideas in a short period of time.

Several friendly matches were played as part of their week-long final preparation as Addie looks to guide Malaysia to a respectable outing.